Chandigarh, Jan 22 (IANS): NRIs, Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and foreign nationals have been allowed by the union petroleum and natural gas ministry to avail the facility of cooking gas connections in the country, reveals a communication received by the Punjab NRI panel.

In its order on a complaint filed by two PIOs in regard to cooking gas connections, the Punjab NRI Commission said Wednesday that the ministry had allowed foreign nationals, NRIs, PIOs and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) to be eligible for domestic non-subsidized connections.

The complainants, Baldev Singh and Vijay Kumar Saria, had said that while many benefits had been given to PIOs with regard to their stay in India, they were not allowed to have a cooking gas connection.

They pointed out that anyone applying for a new connection had to give a declaration that they were Indian citizens and since they are not they cannot apply for a gas cylinder.

"This frustrates their intention to stay in India for a longer period," they said in their complaint.

"There is no dispute with PIO/OCI card-holders having been provided facilities by the Indian government in economic, financial and educational fields and for a longer stay in India. However, this very objective gets frustrated when even they cannot apply for a cooking gas cylinder for cooking during their stay in India," they pointed out.

Following the complaint, the commission issued notice to public sector Indian Oil Corporation, which stated that the issue was under the purview of the ministry. The commission then issued a notice to the ministry.

In its reply, the ministry said foreign nationals, NRIs, PIOs and OCIs were eligible for domestic non-subsidized cooking gas connections.

Punjab has a large number of NRIs, PIOs, OCIs and foreign nationals having family links to the state. A number of them come here every year and stay for long periods.